§ 53. Lieut-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will institute a Government inquiry under Section 20 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, into the working of all sections of British Railways with wide terms of reference to include investigation into cleanliness of carriages and stations, together with the necessary comfort for passengers in summer and winter, the age and condition of rolling stock, the condition and inspection of railway lines and tunnels, and the qualifications and suitability of staff in all grades from the highest to the lowest.
§ 32 Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the causes of all the railway accidents which took place during the Christmas Parliamentary Recess; and indicate, in each case, what recommendations he has made, and proposes to make, to prevent a recurrence of such accidents.
§ Mr. WatkinsonAs regards particular railway accidents, I must await the detailed technical reports of my Inspecting Officers of Railways. I have, however, had a number of discussions with the chairman and members of the British Transport Commission and with representatives of the trade unions about railway 203 safety and the general efficiency of the railways as a whole. The Commission and the trade unions have given careful consideration to these matters and, following a meeting of the British Transport Joint Consultative Council last Friday, a statement was issued about the steps to be taken. This is being brought to the notice of all the staffs and is to be pursued right down through the consultative machinery.
Moreover, at their request, I met last Monday the chairman and deputy-chairman of the British Transport Commission, together with representatives of the trade unions, so as to hear from them the results of their discussions. I am glad to say that they gave me firm assurances of their determination to maintain safety on the railways and to make progress towards a more efficient railway service. I understand that the next meeting of the British Railways Productivity Council on Friday will consider further practical means of co-operating in these purposes.
§ Lieut-Colonel Bromley-DavenportWe are all delighted at the steps which have been taken to raise the morale of railway workers, but will my right hon. Friend undertake to do everything in his power to raise the morale of the wretched passengers who have to go on these filthy trains which are nearly always late and, alas, none too safe?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe best thing I can do is to invite my hon. and gallant Friend to do as I have already done, namely, to have a look at some of the modern trains which British Railways are putting into service. When those trains go into service they will show a very great improvement over anything which has been provided for the travelling public before. I am quite confident that we shall improve travelling efficiency in the reasonably near future.
§ Mr. J. HarrisonDoes the Minister recognise that the staffing difficulty which British Railways have experienced during the last three or four years is the main cause of many of the complaints which come from the ordinary passengers? Will he agree that criticism of the kind we have heard in the consideration of this Question does quite a lot to lower morale and make things worse on British Railways?
§ Mr. WatkinsonIt is quite a serious point. I believe that the key to improving 204 railway efficiency—which is a matter which should interest every hon. Member—is to be found in getting on with the modernisation programme, if it is accompanied by real progress towards better human relations and team work on the railways. The meetings which I have just mentioned to the House are a real sign that the Commission is making real progress on that front, and the whole House should welcome it.
§ Mr. RemnantCan my right hon. Friend give any indication of how long it will be before non-corridor coaches are taken out of use?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI cannot, without notice—but I shall be delighted to answer that question if my hon. Friend will put it down.
§ Mr. PopplewellCan the Minister assure us that he will do everything in his power to see that the British Transport Commission does not run into any difficulty with regard to capital expenditure in relation to the provision of these urgently needed new coaches? Secondly, does not he agree that the new attitude now being adopted by the Commission, as shown in the speedy agreement which has been reached upon the recent negotiations for wage increases, is calculated to increase the morale of the men—if that is felt to be necessary? Will not he also now take the opportunity of paying tribute to these men for their very high standard of efficiency, which has kept railway accidents down to a minimum?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI think I can best answer the hon. Gentleman by saying that about two-thirds of all railway costs arise from manpower considerations, and it is therefore obvious to us all that the Commission is doing the right thing, and that a sensible and quick pay settlement may make some contribution in the Commission's effort to carry its workers with it in a new attempt to improve the efficiency and safety of British Railways. I, personally, wish it well in that task.
§ Mr. UsborneWhen some of these new trains come into operation, will the Minister recommend to the Commission that it might consider putting one or more on the line from Victoria to Folkestone and Dover, which is used by a great many foreigners? That service is exceptionally squalid just now.